Nairobi: The Principal Secretary for Labour and Skills Development, Shadrack Mwadime, has urged young Kenyans to pursue entrepreneurship as a route to economic independence. This comes as the government ramps up support for youth-led enterprises via the NYOTA (National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement) Business Support Program.
According to Kenya News Agency, Mwadime emphasized the government's commitment to connecting young innovators with capital, mentorship, and market opportunities, rather than relying solely on formal employment. Speaking during a physical validation exercise for NYOTA beneficiaries across all 290 constituencies, Mwadime highlighted the dire unemployment situation and encouraged youth to seize the initiative while it is still in its early stages.
Mwadime drew parallels with Germany's economic success, noting that global companies like Daimler Benz and BMW started as small family-run enterprises. He encouraged the youth to start their own businesses, emphasizing that entrepreneurship not only meets present needs but also contributes to future generations and the broader economy.
The NYOTA program aims to reach 820,000 young people nationwide, with each of Kenya's 1,450 wards expected to support at least 70 start-ups. Initial beneficiaries will receive a grant of Sh50,000 as seed capital, rather than a loan. Mwadime assured continued collaboration with the World Bank to expand the program as more funding becomes available.
The program targets youth aged 19 to 29, extending eligibility to persons with disabilities up to 35 years old. In addition to start-up financing, beneficiaries will receive capacity building, business incubation, and opportunities to participate in government procurement.
A complementary element of the initiative is the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) program, which will certify 20,000 youth with informally acquired technical skills. The program also includes an On-the-Job Experience pathway, matching 90,000 beneficiaries with mentors, alongside a monthly stipend of Sh7,000 during training.
Mwadime stressed the importance of an entrepreneurial aptitude test for applicants to qualify for the grant, underscoring the government's commitment to transparency and accountability throughout the process.